Interview with Vancouver Biennale about upcoming works!

Vancouver, Canada. The Vancouver Biennale brings together JUNO® Award-­‐winning Canadian composer Vivian Fung and the GRAMMY® and JUNO® Award-­‐winning Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere performance of a commissioned work inspired by the Vancouver Biennale exhibition. The performance will be part of the VSO’s 2015-­‐2016 season opening concert, and will launch live music as part of the Biennale program, further fulfilling on its vision to celebrate the full spectrum of Contemporary arts in one integrated exhibition. “Apropos of the Biennale itself and our curatorial theme Open Borders Crossroads Vancouver, Vivian is known for crossing traditional boundaries and exploring a diversity of cultures in her music”, says President and Artistic Director Barrie Mowatt. “She has created an exhilarating sound portrait of our exhibition, brilliantly interpreting several of our public artworks into music”.

Five distinct artworks by renowned Contemporary artists from China, Brazil, India and Australia featured in the current Biennale exhibition, including “F Grass” by Ai Weiwei and “Giants” by OSGEMEOS, are the inspiration for the multi-­‐movement work. The result is a wonderfully textured musical celebration of the Vancouver Biennale by one of Canada’s “must hear” Contemporary composers. The Biennale is equally excited to be partnering for the first time with the VSO under the leadership of Maestro Bramwell Tovey.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs the world premiere as part of its GOLDCORP Masterworks Gold series opening concert on Saturday September 26th. Tickets are available online through the VSO at www.vancouversymphony.ca, or by calling VSO Customer Service at 604-­‐876-­‐3434.

The VSO kicks off its season September 26 and 28 with a concert that blends major classics with a new, innovative, and locally inspired offering. String virtuoso Miriam Fried joins the band under maestro Bramwell Tovey for a rendition of Ludwig van Beethoven’s seminal Violin Concerto, and the symphony premieres a new work by Juno-winning Canadian composer Vivian Fung. The latter has been commissioned by the Vancouver Biennale and was inspired by five public artworks in its current display. It’s the first time the biennale has partnered with the VSO, and the commission launches the organization’s new live-music component.